Signature gathering and wire stapling machine having means for inserting loose material



Nov. 2, 1954 F. P. HOFFERTH 2,693,356

SIGNATURE GATHERING AND WIRE STAPLING MACHINE HAVING MEANS FOR INSERTING LOOSE MATERIAL. Filed May 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

M $32M ATTORNE Y5.

Nov. 2, 1954 F. P. HOFFERTH A SIGNATURE GATHERING AND WIRE STAPLING MACHINE HAVING MEANS FOR INSERTING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed May 6, 1953 2 Sheets-$heet 2 mi lllllllllll innu- INVENTOR.

W 79%. 1M, 34mm 2 ATTORNEYS- United States Patent SIGNATURE GATHERING AND WIRE STAPLING MACHINE HAVING MEANS FOR INSERTING LOOSE MATERIAL Frederick P. Holferth, Cincinnati, Ohio Application May 6, 1953, Serial No. 353,403

12 Claims. (Cl. Z7057) This invention relates to book binding, and more particularly to an improvement in machines for assembling and stitching together leaves and paper covers to form pamphlets, magazines, or books.

At the present time there are a large number of publications formed by stapling the interior leaves between soft front and rear covers. in addition to magazines, catalogues, pamphlets and the like, this arrangement is used to produce various work books for use in schools. It is often desirable, in conjunction with these publications, to insert one or more loose sheets into the book, the sheet remaining free of any attachment with the leaves or covers so that it may be readily and neatly removed.

One example of such an insert is the test and answer sheets frequently furnished with school work books. Other examples include loose recipes for insertion into magazines, special advertising sheets, or price lists for insertion in catalogues, and the like. Heretofore, the insertion of such material into a publication has entailed a considerable amount of time, since the loose sheets were inserted manually after the books had been assembled and trimmed.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a signature collating and stapling machine in which loose insert material may automatically be placed into a book before the book is stitched, and then kept free from attachment with the remainder of the book during the stapling or stitching operation. In order that the significance of this objective may be fully appreciated, a brief description will be given of one manner in which stapled books and inserts have heretofore been assembled.

In one type of collating and stitching machine in common use, the covers and signatures, or folded groups of pages, are superimposed in a gathering portion of the machine, and are then advanced along a conveyor to a stitching or stapling portion of the machine where the covers and sheets are joined together. More specifically, the covers and signatures constituting a book are deposited in succession one upon the other as the gathered signatures progress along a slightly inclined conveyor; one cover is placed at the bottom of the sequentially arranged signatures, and the opposite cover is placed on top of the last signature.

As the signatures are advanced from the gatherer toward the stapling mechanism, they are gradually turned from their inclined position to a vertical position in which they rest upon their folded back edges. At the stapling device, the signatures are pressed together, a plurality of wire staples are inserted through the back edges of the covers and signatures, and finally the staples are clinched in place. After the assembled book is removed from the stapling machine, it is trimmed to its final size.

Heretofore, if test and answer sheets or other loose leaf material was to be inserted into the books, the insertion operation was performed by a series of employees who manually separated the leaves of the book, and inserted the loose leaf material in place. This manual operation is both relatively slow and expensive.

The present invention is predicated upon the concept of providing a signature collating and stitching machine in which the insert material is automatically placed Within the book along with the regular signatures before the book is stitched. However, the insert material is supported in such a manner that it is not engaged by the staples which are driven through the cover and signatures to bind the book. When the assembled book is removed from .the stapling machine, the insert material is already in 2,693,356 Patented Nov. 2, 1954 ICE place, but is not attached to the covers or signatures in any way. The book may be trimmed in the usual manner, and is then ready for final delivery, the entire operation of manually inserting the loose leaf material being completely eliminated.

More specifically, it is the concept of the present invention to provide a channel or other supporting member in the signature guiding trough, the bottom of the channel being spaced upwardly from the bottom of the trough. The insert material is dropped into this channel by an arm of the collating mechanism, and is supported with its lowermost or back edge spaced above the lowermost edges of the covers and signatures. It will be understood that the signatures and covers are deposited in the signature trough in the usual manner, a cover and one or more signatures being disposed on one side of the channel, the remaining signatures and covers being disposed on the opposite side. The channel or other supporting element is preferably continuous and extends from the point at which it receives the insert material substantially to the stapling mechanism. In the stapling mechanism springs are provided for compressing the covers and signatures, and these springs are also effective to hold the insert material in a position with its back edge spaced upwardly from the back edges of the signatures. As a result, when the staples are driven through the covers and signatures, they pass bgneath the insert material and do not engage any part 0 it.

One of the principal advantages of the insert channel of this invention is that it is of extremely simple construction and may be added as an attachment to almost any conventional side gathering machine to convert that machine into a device adapted for automatic insertion of loose sheet material.

Another advantage of this construction is that by shifting the insert channel transversely of the signature guiding trough, the place in the book where the insert material is positioned may be readily varied. For example, if the channel is placed close to the inclined wall of the signature trough, and only a cover is deposited before the insert material and passes behind the channel, the loose leaf material will appear inside one cover. if on the other hand, the channel is placed in an intermediate position and one or more signatures pass be hind the channel together with a cover, and one or more signatures and the second cover are placed on top of the channel, the insert material will be disposed in the interior of the book. Similarly, if the insert channel is shifted outwardly, and all of the signatures move behind the channel, the insert material will appear directly inside the opposite cover from that of the first described arrangement.

Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a further consideration of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial simplified elevational view of a collating and stitching machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the signature guide trough, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the signature trough and insert channel taken along line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the upright portion of the trough and channel adjacent the stitching machine taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 1, showing the assembled book at the stapling mechanism.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the insert receiving channel.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the channel taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the forward end of the insert receiving channel.

Figure 10 is a top view of the portion of the channel shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an elevational view of a guide strip mounting block.

Figure 12 is a view of a book, including a plurality of insert sheets.

.A book and associated insert material of the type adapted for assembly in accordance with the prmcrples of this invention are shown in Figures 6 and 12. As there shown, the book 10 includes a plurality of juxtaposed signatures 11 interposed between covers 12 and 13, and a group of insert sheets 14. The covers and signatures are joined together by means of a plurality of staples 15 inserted through the covers and signatures adjacent their folded edges. In the part1cular book shown in Figure 12, the insert material 14 compr1ses a plurality of sheets and is placed just ins1de the rear cover .13. It will be appreciated however, that this 1n vention contemplates the insertion of a single sheet, as well as groups of sheets, and further contemplates the insertion of material within the book in positions other than the one shown. However, no matter what type of material is inserted it is not attached to either the covers or adjacent leaves in any manner.

One device, constructed in accordance with this 1nvention, by means of which books may be assembled and loose leaf material automatically inserted, is shown in Figures l11. From the foregoing descr1ption of the principles of my invention, and from the description of this particular embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which my invention is susceptible in order to incorporate it into various signature gathering, conveying, and stapling machines differing somewhat from the one shown.

The precise details of the gathering and stapling mechanisms constitute no part of the present invention, and are shown only to the extent necessary to illustrate the manner in which these mechanisms cooperate with the sheet inserting means. Various gathering and stapling mechanisms are well known in the art; the basic construction of one machine incorporating such devices particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with this invention is disclosed in Juengst Reissue Patent No.

As shown in Figure 1, a book assembling machine 16 includes a collating or gathering portion 17, a wire stapling or stitching mechanism 18 and atransfer portion 20 by means of which the books are shifted from the gathering portion of the machine to the. stitching mechanism.

The gathering portion of the machine includes a frame 21 which supports a signature guiding trough 22 extending longitudinally of the machine, supports for stacks of signatures 24, and a plurality of rotatable gripper arms 25. A conveyor chain (not shown) is mounted on the frame adjacent to the signature receiving trough, the chain being driven longitudinally in the direction of the stapling mechanism; that is from right to left in Figure 1. It will be understood that the various elements of the machine could be transposed so that the gathering portion is on the left and the stitching mechanism on the right, and the direction of conveyorchain movement is from left to right.

In addition, suitable sucker devices are associated with each stack of signatures, the construction of these sucker devices is well known in the art, and constitutes no part of the present invention. The function of the sucker devices is to bend down the lowermost signature of each'stack so that that signature is positioned for engagement with the rotatable gripping arm which removes the signature and deposits it in the signature receiving trough 22. As shown particularly in Figures 2-4, the signature receiving trough 22 includes an inclined rear supporting surface 27 and a forward or bottom wall 28 extending substantially at right angles to surface 27, portions of the bottom wall being removed to accommodate the gripper arms during their pivotal movements. A guide plate 30 is'disposed along the top of the rear surface 27 to guide the signatures into the trough when the signatures are engaged by the gripper arms.

After a signature has been deposited in the signature trough, it is engaged by one of the pins of the conveyor chain and moved toward the left hand end of the collating portion 17. As the signature passeseach successive stack of signatures, a new signature is deposited on. top of the previously gathered ones and the superimposed signatures then continue upon their way. It will be understood that covers 12 are arranged for deposition in the signature guide trough at the right hand end of the machine, so that a cover is placed beneath each group of gathered signatures. The opposite covers 13 are placed on top of the gathered signatures at the left hand end of the collating portion of the machine.

In the particular embodiment shown, the insert material is placed directly inside the second cover 13 of the book. A stack of insert material is arranged in exactly the same manner as the signatures and covers, adjacent the stack of the last signatures 24 of the book. The stack of insert material is located on the side of the collating device between the stack of signatures 24 and the stack of second covers 13. A sucker device and rotatable gripper arm are disposed adjacent the stack of inserts for operation similar to that at any of the other signature depositing stations.

Disposed in the signature guide trough at the insert depositing station is a rear guide strap 31. This strap extends longitudinally of the trough in parallel spaced relationship therewith, and is preferably inclined at the same angle as the inclined rear wall 27. The spacing of the guide strap 31 from the rear wall 27 is sufficient to accommodate the lower cover 12 and the signatures 11 which pass beneath the strap. The free end .of the guide strap is supported from the forward wall 28 of the signature trough by means of a mounting block 32, provided with a narrow slot 33 for frictionally engaging wall 28. Block 32 is provided with a second slot 34 for receiving the end of strap 31 after the strap has been bent around the block as shown in Figures 7 and 11. Suitable means such as bolts 35 are provided for clamping strap 31 in slot 34. While mounting block 32 may be of any suitable type for releasable engagement with the front wall, the particular block shown is advantageous since it permits the ready adjustment of the block longitudinally of the signature receiving trough.

A second guide strap 36 extends parallel to the first strap 31, and is spaced from it at least a distance sufficient to accommodate the insert material. The free end of strap 36 is also supported from front wall 28 by means of a mounting block 37 which is preferably identical with mounting block 32. The other ends of guide straps 31 and 36 are secured in any suitable manner such as by welding to the end of insert receiving channel 38.

The insert receiving channel (Figures 8 to 10) includes upstanding side walls 40 and 41, and a bottom 42. Adjacent the insert depositing station the upstanding walls 40 and 41 of the channel are inclined in parallel relationship with'the inclined rear wall 27 of the signature trough. The bottom wall 42 of the insert channel tapers from its normal thickness indicated at 43, downwardly to a point 44 adjacent to the bottom of the channel at the signature receiving end. The insert receiving channel is preferably secured in abutting relationship with the bottom wall 28 of the signature receiving trough by means of bolts 45. Consequently, the insert supporting surface 46 of the channel is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the signature guiding trough by at least the thickness of a channel bottom 42. In the preferred embodiment bolts 45 pass through transverse slots in the bottom of the trough and are releasably held in place by nuts (not shown). This construction facilitates lateral adjustment of the trough as well be explained below.

The insert material is dropped by the gripper arm over guide strip 31, so that the rear face of the insert material engages the strip while the bottom edge of the insert rests against the bottom 28 of the signature receiving trough when the insert material is released by the gripper arm. The lower cover and signatures of the book in which the insert material is to be placed are aligned with the material between strip 31 and the rear wall 27 After the insert material has been dropped into place, it is engaged by one of the fingers of the conveyor chain along with the superimposed signatures and cover, and is moved toward the discharge end of the collating mechanism. As the gathered signatures and insert material pass the loading station for covers 13, a cover is dropped into place on top of the insert.

The bottom edge of cover 13 rests against the bottom 28 of the signature receiving trough, while the inner surface of the cover is in contact with side wall 41 of the insert channel.

The transfer portion of the machine includes a moving chain 47, including a plurality of spaced fingers 48; this chain is generally like the one provided in the gathering portion of the machine, and moves from right to left in Figure 1. In the transfer portion of the machine 20, the signature guide trough and insert channel are bent so that their inclination gradually changes from an angle of approximately 30 with the horizontal, to one in which they are substantially vertical. A plurality of side guide bars 50 are disposed on opposite sides of the signatures. These guide bars are vertically arranged, and are spaced apart substantially the same distance as the front and rear walls of the signature receiving trough. The guide bars conform generally to the curve of the trough, so that the upper portion of the signatures is supported at all times as they are brought from their inclined position to a vertical one.

A side compression spring 51 in the form of a leaf of spring material is disposed at the discharge end of the transfer portion adjacent to the stapling mechanism. The spring is supported by mounting bracket 52 which is bolted or otherwise joined, to bars 50, and is effective to compress the covers and signatures at the stapling device. It will be noted that the insert channel terminates adjacent to the stitching mechanism; however, the insert material is maintained in the position with its lowermost edge spaced upwardly from the corresponding edges of the covers and signatures by the compressive action of the spring.

The specific stapling mechanism is of no consequence to this invention. A wide variety of wire stitching devices are known in the art, and it will suffice here to state that one suitable stapling mechanism includes a reciprocating frame 53 comprising members disposed on each side of the book and joined by cross bars 54, so that they move as a unit.

In addition, the frame carries wire feeding and cutting devices for forming and driving a plurality of staples through the covers and signatures adjacent the lower, or back edges, of the book. Also, some suitable mechanism is provided such as pivoted dogs for bending the ends of the staples down fiat against the outer surface of the cover to clench the staples firmly in position, thereby binding the book.

The staples which bind the covers and signatures pass below the lowermost edge of the insert material which is supported in its raised position by the compressive action of the side springs. Thus, the insert material is placed between a cover and adjacent signature, but is not engaged in any manner by the staples as they are driven and clenched to bind the book. After the staples have been clenched, chain 47 shifts the bound book from the stapling mechanism to the discharge station of the machine where the books are removed and transported to the trimming device.

The operation of the device can best be understood from a study of Figures 2-6. The following description will indicate how a single book is assembled; however it will be understood that several books are assembled simultaneously. That is, while one book is receiving one signature, another book is receiving a different signature, a third book is receiving a cover and etc. The first step in assembling a book is to stack the covers, signatures, and insert material in the proper places on the gathering mechanism. That is, a stack of covers should be disposed at the first depositing station, then the signatures should be successively arranged, followed by the insert material and the second covers.

When the collating machine is in operation, the bottom cover is engaged by the gripper associated with its depositing station, and is dropped into the signature receiving trough, the bottom of the cover engaging the bottom of the trough 22, and the face of the cover residing in engagement with the inclined supporting surface 27. The end of the cover is engaged by one of the projecting fingers of the movable chain (not shown), and the cover is shifted longitudinally of the machine to the next station where the first signature is dropped by a gripper arm on top of the cover.

As the cover and signature are moved along by the pins of the conveyor, toward the left hand end of the surface 27, and the back edges of the cover and signatures residing against bottom 28. As the collated signatures are shifted toward the next station, they pass beneath guide strip 31. At the insert depositing station, the sucker device and gripper arm separate the lowermost set of insert sheets and drop them over the collated signatures and guide strip 31 as shown in Figure 3. At this point the bottom of the insert is supported by bottom 28 of the signature trough.

Further movement of the signatures and insert material toward the left results in the inserts being engaged by the second guide strip 36. The insert material thus passes between these two strips and enters the insert channel. As it progresses along this channel, it engages the tapered portion of a supporting surface 46 and is raised so that it is spaced an appreciable distance from the lower edges of the other signatures and covers.

Next, the second cover is dropped over the insert material and collated signatures as shown in Figure 4. The cover engages bottom 28 of the signature trough, and lies completely outside of the insert channel. As the book continues to move toward the left, it enters the transfer portion of the machine and is engaged by chain 47. Gradually, the inclination of the book is increased toward the vertical until the book reaches an upright position such as that shown in Figure 5. After the book enters the transfer section, the upper portion of the covers is supported between the bars 50, disposed on either side of the book.

As the book reaches the stapling machine, it comes into contact with the side spring which compresses the covers and frictionally supports the insert material which is moved free from contact with the insert channel. The stapling mechanism then drives and clinches a plurality of staples adjacent to the lowermost edges of the .covers and signatures, these staples being effective to bind the book, but failing to engage the insert material. After the staples are clenched, the book is discharged from the machine and is trimmed in the usual manner. After trimming, the book is ready for shipment. Although the operation constitutes no part of the present invention, it will be understood that the books may be clothstripped before trimming if desired. In this operation, a strip of cloth is applied along the backbone of the book, covering the staples and rear edges of the covers and signatures.

While I have described one preferred embodiment of my apparatus, it will readily be apparent that many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, while in the embodiment shown the device is arranged so that the insert material is placed immediately interior of one of the covers, it could also be arranged so that the insert would be placed in the interior of the book, or under the opposite cover if desired. In order for the signature to be placed inside of the book, it is necessary to shift the insert channel laterally of the signature trough so that only the desired number of signatures will pass beneath the channel, and the remainder lie on top of it. This lateral shifting of the trough is readily accomplished by means of the bolt and slot construction which I have described.

It is also necessary to shift the relative position of the stack of signature sheets so that the insert will be deposited after the desired number of signatures have been placed in the guide trough. This necessitates the lengthening of either the insert channel or the guide strips. In any event, the free end guide strips can be readily shifted longitudinally of the front wall of the signature trough by sliding the mounting blocks. With the machine so modified, a predetermined number of signatures are disposed beneath the insert material, and the remaining signatures and cover are dropped on top of the insert material, outside of the insert channel. After all of the signatures have been gathered, the operation of the transfer agd stapling mechanisms are exactly like that described a ove.

In another modification, the insert receiving channel can be extended to the insert depositing station and the guide strips eliminated. In such a modification, it may be desirable to flare the upper ends of the channel adjacent the insert depositing station in order to facilitate the depositing of the-sheets in the channel. It may :also the desirable to extend the insert channel slightly beyond the insert depositing station and curve it-outwardl-y to aid in guiding the gathered signatures behind the channel.

Another modification which is contemplated involves the provision of a plurality of insert receiving channels, spaced from one another transversely of the signature receiving trough. Each of these channels terminates adjacent to a separate insert depositing station at which one or more insert sheets-are placed in the channel. :By means of this arrangement, a plurality of insert sheets may be inserted in diiferent places within a'book.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A collating and stapling machine-comprising, means for gathering groups of signatures, the lowermost edges of said signatures being aligned, means for collating a sheet of insert material with said signature, a stapling mechanism for stapling said collated signatures adjacent their lowermost edges, third means for supporting the lowermost edges of said signatures in alignment in said stapling mechanism, and means for supporting said insert sheet in a position wherein its lowermostedge is spaced upwardly from said third means and from the lowermost edges of signatures-supported by said thirdjmeans a sufficient distance so that the staples do not engage the insert sheet.

2. A collating and stapling machine'comprising-means for gathering groups of signatures, the lowermost edges of said signatures being aligned, second :means for collating a sheet of insert material with said signatures, a stapling mechanism for stapling said collated signatures adjacent their lowermost edges, third means for supporting the lowermost edges of said signatures in alignment in said stapling mechanism, and means for supporting said insert sheet in a position wherein its lowermost edge is spaced upwardly from said third means and from the lowermost edges of signatures supported by said third means a sufficient distance so that the staples do not engage the insert sheet, said latter named means including a spring effective to compress said signatures and said insert sheet adjacent the stapling device.

3. A collating and stapling machine comprising, means for gathering groups of signatures, the lowermost edges of said signatures being aligned, second means for collating a sheet of insert material with said signatures, a stapling mechanism for stapling said collated signatures adjacent their lowermost edges, third means for supporting the lowermost edges of said signatures in alignment in said stapling mechanism, and means for supporting said insert sheet in a position wherein its lowermost edge isspaced upwardly from said third means and jfrom-the lowermost edges of signatures supported by said third means a sufficient distance so that the staples do not engage the insert sheet, said latter named meansincluding a channel having a support surface for engaging cthe lowermost edge of said insert sheet.

4. A collating and stapling machine comprising, means for gathering groups of signatures, the lowermost edges of said signatures being aligned, second means for collating a sheet of insert material with said signatures, a stapling mechanism for stapling said collated signatures adjacent their lowermost edges, third'means :for supporting the lowermost edges of said signatures in alignment in said stapling mechanism, and meansfor supporting said insert sheet in a position wherein its lowermost edge is spaced upwardly from said third means and from the lowermost edges of signatures supported by said third means a suflicient distance so that the staples do not engage the insert sheet, said latter named means including a channel having a support surface forengaging the lowermost edge of said insert sheet, said channel terminating adjacent said stapling mechanism, and a spring eflectiveto compress saidsignatures and-said insert sheet at said stapling mechanism.

5. An attachment for collating and stapling machines of the type having a collating portion, including a-plurality of signature depositing stations and an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism and a signature guide trough along which signatures are conveyedthrough the collating portion of the machine and transferred from that portion to the stapling mechanism, the signature guide trough including a bottom .wall for engagement with the lowermost-edge of said signatures, said attachment comprisinga generally U-shaped insert receiving channel adapted :for disposition adjacent to the bottom wallof thesignature .guide trough, said channel having an insert supporting surrace spaced from the bottom of the trough and two side walls .upstanding from said surface, a pair of guide strips secured to one end of the insert channel, said stripsextending substantially parallel to .thesides or the .insert channel, and means tor releasably securing said stripsto the signature receiving trough, the overall length or said strips and said channel being sufficient to extend from said insert depositing station to .a point adjacent to said stapling mechanism.

6. in a collating and stapling machine of the type having a collating portion, including a plurality of signature depositing stations and an insert depositing station, ,astapling mechanism and a signature guide trough along which signatures are conveyed through the collating portion or the machine and transferred from that portion to the stapling mechanism, .the signature guide trough including a bottom wall for engagement with the lowermost edge of said signatures, the combination of a generally U-shaped insert receiving channel disposed ad acent to the bottom wall of the signature guide trough, said channel having an insert supporting surface spaced from the bottom of the trough and two side walls upstanding from said surtace, a pair of guide strips secured to one end of the insert channel, said strips extending substantially parallel to the sides of the insert channel and being adapted to receive an insert sheet at said insert depositing station, and means for releasably securing said strips to the signature receiving trough, the combination of said strips .and said channel extending from said insert depositing station to a point adjacent to said stapling mechanism.

7. In a collating and stapling machine of the type having a collating portion, including a plurality of sig nature depositing stations and an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism and a signature guide trough along which signatures are conveyed through the collatmg portion of the machine and transferred from that portion to the stapling mechanism, the signature guide trough including a bottom wall for engagement with the lowermost edge of said signatures, the combination of a generally U-shaped insert receiving channel disposed adjacent to the bottom wall of the signature guide trough, said channel having an insert supporting surface spaced from the bottom of the trough and two side walls upstanding .from said surface, apair of guide strips secured to one end of the insert channel, said strips extending substantially parallel to the sides of the insert channel and being adapted to receive an insert sheet at said insert depositing station, means for releasably securing said strips to the signature receiving trough, the combination :of said strips and said channel extending from said insert depositing station to a point adjacent to said stapling mechanism, and spring means for laterally compressing the signatures and insert sheet at said stapling mechanism.

8. An attachment for collating and stapling machines of the type having a collating portion, including a plurality of signature depositing stations and an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism and a signature guide trough along which signatures are conveyed through the collating portion of the machine and transferred from that portion to the stapling mechanism, the signature guide trough including a bottom wall for engagement with the lowermost edge of said signatures, said attachment comprising a generally U-shaped insert receiving channel adapted for disposition adjacent to the bottom wall of the signature guide trough, said channel having an insert supporting surface spaced from the bottom of the trough and two side walls upstanding from said surface, said channel being of sufiicient length to extendfrom a point adjacent to said insert depositing stationto a point adjacent to said stapling mechanism.

'9. .A collating and stapling machine comprising a plurality of signature depositing stations, an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism, a signature guide trough extending longitudinally of said machine past said depositing stations and from said stations to the stapling mechanism, said signature guide trough including an inclined rear wall and a bottom wall, a conveyor mechanism for :moving signatures along said trough toward the stapling mechanism, said depositing stations being effective to superimpose an additional signature upon a gathered group of signatures as they pass the station,

said signatures being supported by the inclined rear wall and having one edge in contact with the bottom wall, said insert depositing station being effective to deposit a sheet of insert material on said gathered signatures, means for supporting the insert so that the lowermost edge of said insert is spaced upwardly from the bottom wall, said means comprising an insert receiving channel, said insert receiving channel being disposed within said signature guide trough, and including an insert supporting surface spaced upwardly therefrom, said insert receiving channel including a pair of side walls extending in parallel relationship with the inclined rear wall of the signature receiving trough, one of said channel walls being spaced from the inclined rear wall a sufficient distance to accommodate the group of gathered signatures upon which said insert material is deposited, a pair of guide strips, said strips being secured to the end of said channel and extending substantially parallel to said channel walls, means for securing said strips to the signature guide trough, said insert channel including a tapered portion at the end of said channel remote from said stapling mechanism, said tapered portion extending from the bottom of the signature trough to the portion of the insert supporting surface spaced from the bottom wall, said insert receiving channel terminating adjacent to said stapling mechanism, a spring disposed adjacent said signature trough at said stapling mechanism for compressing said signatures and said insert sheet to main.- tain said sheet in a position spaced upwardly from the lowermost edges of said signatures while said sheet is conveyed through said stapling mechanism, said stapling mechanism being effective to drive a plurality of staples adjacent the lower most edges of said signatures but below the lowermost edge of said insert sheet.

10. A collating and stapling machine comprising a plurality of signature depositing stations, an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism, a signature guide trough extending longitudinally of said machine past said depositing stations and from said stations to the stapling mechanism, said signature guide trough including an inclined rear wall and a bottom wall, a conveyor mechanism for moving signatures along said trough toward the stapling mechanism, said depositing stations being effective to superimpose an additional signature upon a gathered group of signatures as they pass the station, said signatures being supported by the inclined rear wall and having one edge in contact with the bottom wall, said insert depositing station being effective to deposit a sheet of insert material on said gathered signatures, means for supporting the insert so that the lowermost edge of said insert is spaced upwardly from the bottom wall, said means comprising an insert receiving channel, said insert receiving channel being disposed within said signature guide trough and including an insert supporting surface spaced upwardly therefrom, said insert receiving channel including a pair of side walls extending in parallel relationship with the inclined rear wall of the signature receiving trough, one of said channel Walls being spaced from the inclined rear wall a 'sufiicient distance to accommodate the group of gathered signatures upon which said insert material is deposited, said insert receiving channel terminating adjacent to said stapling mechanism, a spring disposed adjacent said signature trough at said stapling mechanism, said spring being effective to compress said signatures and said insert sheet to maintain said sheet in a position spaced upwardly from the lowermost edges of said signatures while said sheet is conveyed through said stapling mechanism, said stapling mechanism being effective to drive a plurality of staples adjacent the lowermost edges of said signatures but below the lowermost edge of said insert sheet.

11. A collating and stapling machine comprising a plurality of signature depositing stations, an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism, a signature guide trough extending longitudinally of said machine past said depositing stations and from said stations to the stapling mechanism, said signature guide trough including an inclined rear wall and a bottom Wall, a conveyor mechanism for moving signatures along said trough toward the stapling mechanism, said depositing stations being effective to superimpose an additional signature upon a gathered group of signatures as they pass the station, said signatures being supported by the inclined rear wall and having one edge in contact with the bottom wall, said insert depositing station being effective to deposit a sheet of insert material on said gathered signatures, means for supporting the insert so that the lowermost edge of said insert is spaced upwardly from the bottom wall, said means comprising an insert receiving channel, said insert receiving channel being disposed within said signature guide trough and including an insert supporting surface spaced upwardly therefrom, said insert receiving channel including a pair of side walls extending in parallel relationship with the inclined rear Wall of the signature receiving trough, one of said channel walls being spaced from the inclined rear wall a suflicient distance to accommodate the group of gathered signatures upon which said insert material is deposited, means for adjusting the position of said insert channel transversely of said trough to alter the position of an insert sheet in a book, said insert receiving channel terminating adjacent to said stapling mechanism, a spring disposed adjacent said signature trough at said stapling mechanism, said spring being effective to compress said signatures and said insert sheet to maintain said sheet in a position spaced upwardly from the lowermost edges of said signatures while said sheet is conveyed through said stapling mechanism, said stapling mechanism being effective to drive a plurality of staples adjacent the lowermost edges of said signatures but below the lowermost edge of said insert sheet.

12. In a collating and stapling machine of the type having a collating portion, including a plurality of signature depositing stations and an insert depositing station, a stapling mechanism and a signature guide trough along which signatures are conveyed through the collating portion of the machine and transferred from that portion to the stapling mechanism, the signature guide trough including a bottom wall for engagement with the lowermost edge of said signatures, the combination of a generally U-shaped insert receiving channel disposed adjacent to the bottom wall of the signature guide trough, said channel having an insert supporting surface spaced from the bottom of the trough and two side walls upstanding from said surface, means for adjusting the position of said insert receiving channel transversely of said signature guide trough, a pair of guide strips secured to one end of the insert channel, said strips extending substantially parallel to the sides of the insert channel and being adapted to receive an insert sheet at said insert depositing station, and means for releasably securing said strips to the signature receiving trough, the combination of said strips and said channel extending from said insert depositing station to a point adjacent to said stapling mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,024,959 Alger Dec. 17, 1935 2,222,983 Marchev Nov. 26, 1940 2,599,666 Surridge June 10, 1952 

